Yogurt Soup With Beef and Green Lentils
If you’re looking for a hearty, healthy, and nutritious soup that can also be served as a main dish when needed, the yogurt soup with green lentils and meat is just for you! Thanks to the green lentils, meat, and yogurt in its ingredients, this soup is high in protein, filling, and delicious.
Nutritional Value and Benefits of the Soup
This soup is packed with protein. While green lentils serve as a plant-based protein source, red meat complements it with animal protein. Additionally, yogurt supports digestion with its probiotic content, and egg yolk gives the soup a perfect consistency.
Choosing the Right Type of Pasta
You can use either vermicelli or orzo in this recipe. Orzo provides a firmer bite, whereas vermicelli creates a lighter texture. Feel free to choose based on your preference.
Meat Selection
You can use either beef or lamb in this soup. If you opt for lamb, you can cook it in a regular pot, as lamb softens more quickly. However, if you choose beef, it's best to use a pressure cooker to tenderize the meat faster, ensuring a richer and more flavorful soup.
Recipes with Green Lentils
When people think of green lentils, they often recall the classic green lentil stew—a dish that blurs the line between a main course and a soup—or the lentil dish with noodles. However, for me, the possibilities go far beyond that. Just type “green lentils” into the search bar, and you'll see exactly what I mean!
If you’re looking for another yogurt-based soup, try green lentil soup with wheat. If you prefer a creamy soup, porcini mushroom green lentil soup might be the perfect choice.
For a complete main course, you can make green lentil patties, or if you want lentils in a rice dish, green lentil bulgur pilaf could be just what you’re looking for.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup with sourdough whole wheat bread, and for an extra burst of flavor, add a few drops of lemon juice on top.
This is a must-try recipe, especially for cold winter days—it will warm you up and keep you full for a long time with its high protein content.
Enjoy the recipe...
Yogurt Soup With Beef and Green Lentils with Video
Ingredients
- 200 g red meat,
- 1/2 cup green lentils,
- 1/2 cup orzo,
- 1 cup yogurt,
- 1 egg yolk,
- Juice of 1/2 lemon,
- 1 tablespoon flour,
- 4-5 tablespoons olive oil,
- 2 bay leaves,
- 1 teaspoon dried mint,
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes,
- 1.5 liters water,
- Salt,
- Black pepper.
Preparation
- Heat a pot over the stove, add the meat, and sauté until browned in some spots,
- Add water and bay leaves, and cook until the meat becomes very tender,
- Add the washed and drained lentils, and cook until both the meat and lentils soften,
- Stir in the orzo and mix well,
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt, egg yolk, lemon juice, and flour for the tempering,
- Take a ladle of hot soup and slowly add it to the tempering mixture while whisking continuously,
- Gradually add more soup while whisking until the mixture warms up,
- Pour the tempered mixture into the pot, stirring constantly,
- Cook over low-medium heat, stirring continuously, until the soup thickens,
- Add salt and black pepper, mix well, and remove from heat,
- Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan,
- Add dried mint and red pepper flakes, stir briefly, and remove from heat,
- Pour the spiced oil over the soup and mix well.
Enjoy!